U.S. patent application number 11/668239 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for lock assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Newell Operating Company. Invention is credited to Todd Ellerton, Markus E. Muller, Christopher C. Rindels.
Application Number | 20080178530 11/668239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39666361 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080178530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ellerton; Todd ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
Lock Assembly
Abstract
A passive lock assembly is suitable for use with a door mounted
to a door frame. The passive lock assembly includes a housing, a
bolt, an actuator, and a stop member. The housing is mounted on the
door. The bolt extends from the housing and is moveable between an
extended position and a retracted position. The actuator is
supported by the housing and is operably connected to the bolt.
Additionally, the actuator is moveable to move the bolt between the
extended position and the retracted position. The stop member is
pivotably connected to the housing and pivotable between a first
position and a second position. In the first position, the stop
member engages an engagement surface of the actuator to obstruct
movement of the actuator and prevent movement of the bolt to the
retracted position, and in the second position, the stop member
does not obstruct movement of the actuator.
Inventors: |
Ellerton; Todd; (Roscoe,
IL) ; Muller; Markus E.; (Rockford, IL) ;
Rindels; Christopher C.; (Rockford, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Newell Operating Company
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
39666361 |
Appl. No.: |
11/668239 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/394 ;
70/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05C 9/041 20130101;
E05C 7/04 20130101; Y10T 292/0839 20150401; Y10T 70/5204 20150401;
Y10T 292/0846 20150401; Y10T 292/0834 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/394 ;
70/102 |
International
Class: |
E05B 63/12 20060101
E05B063/12; E05B 65/06 20060101 E05B065/06 |
Claims
1. A passive lock assembly for use with a door mounted to a door
frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position,
the passive lock assembly comprising: a housing adapted to be
mounted on the door; a first bolt extending from the housing and
moveable between an extended position, wherein the first bolt is
adapted to engage the door frame to lock the door in the closed
position, and a retracted position, wherein the first bolt is
adapted to retract from the door frame to permit the door to move
to the open position; an actuator supported by the housing and
operably connected to the first bolt, the actuator being moveable
to move the first bolt between the extended position and the
retracted position, the actuator having an engagement surface; and
a stop member pivotably connected to the housing and pivotable
between a first position, wherein the stop member engages the
engagement surface of the actuator to obstruct movement of the
actuator and prevent movement of the first bolt to the retracted
position, and a second position, wherein the stop member does not
obstruct movement of the actuator.
2. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the stop member is
elongated along an axis substantially normal to the engagement
surface of the actuator.
3. The passive lock assembly of claim 2, wherein the stop member
has an engagement member extending substantially normal to the axis
of elongation of the stop member, the engagement member adapted to
be engaged by a latch bolt extending into the housing to move the
stop member from the second position to the first position.
4. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the stop member is
substantially normal to the engagement surface in the first
position.
5. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the stop member
has first and second opposed ends and is pivotably connected to the
housing at the first end and engages the actuator at the second
end.
6. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator is
pivotably connected to the housing, and the passive lock assembly
further comprises a handle connected to the actuator, the handle
adapted to be manipulated by a user to pivotably move the
actuator.
7. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the stop member is
adapted to be engaged by a latch bolt extending into the housing to
move the stop member from the second position to the first
position.
8. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising: means
for biasing the stop member to the second position; and means for
biasing the actuator toward a central position.
9. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
retraction member supported by the housing and operably connected
to the first bolt for moving the first bolt between the extended
position and the retracted position, wherein the actuator engages
the retraction member to move the first bolt.
10. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a
second bolt extending from the housing in a direction opposite the
direction of the first bolt and moveable between an extended
position, wherein the second bolt is adapted to engage the door
frame, on a side of the door frame opposite the first bolt, to lock
the door in the closed position, and a retracted position, wherein
the second bolt is adapted to retract from the door frame to permit
the door to move to the open position, wherein the actuator is
operably connected to the second bolt, the actuator being moveable
to move the first bolt and the second bolt simultaneously between
the extended positions and the retracted positions.
11. The passive lock assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a
first retraction member supported by the housing and operably
connected to the first bolt for moving the first bolt between the
extended position and the retracted position; and a second
retraction member supported by the housing and operably connected
to the second bolt for moving the second bolt between the extended
position and the retracted position, wherein the actuator engages
the first retraction member to move the first bolt and the first
retraction member is operably connected to the second retraction
member to move the second bolt.
12. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator
comprises a body and an arm extending from the body, the arm having
an offset portion, and the engagement surface is located on the
offset portion of the arm.
13. The passive lock assembly of claim 1, further comprising a
receiver adapted to be mounted on the door frame, wherein the first
bolt engages the receiver in the extended position and the first
bolt retracts from the receiver in the retracted position.
14. A passive lock assembly for use with a door mounted to a door
frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position,
the passive lock assembly comprising: a housing adapted to be
mounted on the door; a receiver adapted to be mounted on the door
frame a bolt extending from the housing and moveable between an
extended position, wherein the bolt engages the receiver to lock
the door in the closed position, and a retracted position, wherein
the bolt retracts from the receiver to permit the door to move to
the open position; an actuator supported by the housing and
operably connected to the bolt, the actuator being moveable to move
the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position,
the actuator having an engagement surface; and a stop member
supported by the housing and moveable between a first position,
wherein the stop member engages the engagement surface of the
actuator to obstruct movement of the actuator and prevent movement
of the bolt to the retracted position, and a second position,
wherein the stop member does not obstruct movement of the actuator,
wherein the stop member is substantially normal to the engagement
surface of the actuator in the first position.
15. The passive lock assembly of claim 14, wherein the stop member
is pivotably connected to the housing and pivotable between the
first position and the second position.
16. The passive lock assembly of claim 15, wherein the stop member
has first and second opposed ends and is pivotably connected to the
housing at the first end and engages the actuator at the second
end.
17. The passive lock assembly of claim 16, wherein the stop member
is tapered inward proximate the second end.
18. The passive lock assembly of claim 14, wherein the actuator
comprises a body and an arm extending from the body, the arm having
an offset portion, and the engagement surface is located on the
offset portion of the arm.
19. A door assembly comprising: a door frame; an active door
mounted within the door frame and moveable between an open position
and a closed position; a passive door mounted within the door frame
in side-by-side relation with the active door and moveable between
an open position and a closed position; an active lock mounted
within the active door, the active lock comprising a latch bolt
moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and
a first handle operably coupled to the latch bolt to move the latch
bolt between the extended position and the retracted position; a
receiver mounted in the door frame; and a passive lock assembly
comprising: a housing mounted within the passive door, the housing
having a face plate having an aperture therein; a shoot bolt
extending from the housing and moveable between an extended
position, wherein the shoot bolt engages the receiver to lock the
passive door in the closed position, and a retracted position,
where the bolt retracts from the receiver to permit the passive
door to move to the open position; a retraction member supported by
the housing and operably connected to the shoot bolt for moving the
shoot bolt between the extended position and the retracted
position; an actuator supported by the housing and operably
connected to the retraction member, the actuator being moveable to
move the shoot bolt between the extended position and the retracted
position, the actuator having an engagement surface; a handle
coupled to the actuator and adapted to be manipulated by a user to
move the actuator; a first spring member coupled to the actuator to
bias the actuator to a central position; a pivotable stop member
pivotably connected to the housing and pivotable between a first
position, wherein the stop member engages the engagement surface of
the actuator to obstruct movement of the actuator and prevent
movement of the shoot bolt to the retracted position and wherein
the stop member is substantially normal to the engagement surface,
and a second position, wherein the stop member does not obstruct
movement of the actuator; and a second spring member coupled to the
stop member to bias the stop member toward the second position,
wherein when the active door and the passive door are in the closed
positions and the latch bolt is in the extended position, the latch
bolt extends into the housing and engages the stop member to move
the stop member from the second position to the first position.
20. The passive lock assembly of claim 19, wherein the stop member
is elongated along an axis substantially normal to the engagement
surface of the actuator.
21. The passive lock assembly of claim 20, wherein the stop member
has an engagement member extending substantially normal to the axis
of elongation of the stop member, wherein the latch bolt engages
the engagement member to move the stop member from the second
position to the first position.
22. A passive lock assembly for use with a door mounted to a door
frame and moveable between an open position and a closed position,
the passive lock assembly comprising: a housing adapted to be
mounted on the door; a receiver adapted to be mounted on the door
frame a first bolt extending from the housing and moveable between
an extended position, wherein the first bolt engages the receiver
to lock the door in the closed position, and a retracted position,
wherein the first bolt retracts from the receiver to permit the
door to move to the open position; an actuator supported by the
housing and operably connected to the first bolt, the actuator
being moveable to move the first bolt between the extended position
and the retracted position, the actuator having an engagement
surface; and a stop member coupled to the housing and moveable
between a first position, wherein the stop member engages the
engagement surface of the actuator to obstruct movement of the
actuator and prevent movement of the bolt to the retracted
position, and a second position, wherein the stop member does not
obstruct movement of the actuator.
23. The passive lock assembly of claim 22, wherein the stop member
is pivotably coupled to the housing and pivotable between the first
position and the second position.
24. The passive lock assembly of claim 22, wherein the stop member
is substantially normal to the engagement surface in the first
position.
25. The passive lock assembly of claim 22, wherein the stop member
is elongated along an axis substantially normal to the engagement
surface of the actuator.
26. The passive lock assembly of claim 22, wherein the actuator
comprises a body and an arm extending from the body, the arm having
an offset portion, and the engagement surface is located on the
offset portion of the arm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] None.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The invention relates to lock assemblies, and, more
specifically, to a passive lock assembly for use with dual-hung
swinging doors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Lock assemblies and systems for locking doors are widely
known and used. FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-point door locking
system 1, operatively connected to a conventional swinging door
assembly 12, such as a French door assembly. The door assembly 12
generally comprises a primary, or active, door member 14, and a
secondary, or passive, door member 16, mounted within a master door
frame 18. The active door 14 is generally adapted for reciprocal
sliding and/or swinging movement within the door frame 18, thereby
enabling ingress and egress through the door assembly 12.
Generally, the passive door 16 is also a movable member capable of
sliding and/or swinging within the door frame 18. The active door
14 and passive door 16 are preferably mounted in side-by-side
relation to each other, and each door 14,16 has a confronting face
22,24 confronting the other door 14,16. The locking system 1
generally includes an active lock 3 on the active door 14 and a
passive lock 4 on the passive door 16. The passive lock 4 generally
contains shoot bolts that engage the door frame at the top and
bottom of the door 16 to lock the door 16 to the frame 18. The
active lock 3 generally also contains shoot bolts that engage the
door frame 18, as well as a latch bolt and a dead bolt that extend
into the passive door 16 to lock the doors 14,16 together. Thus, by
design, the passive door 16 is not intended to be opened unless and
until the active door is opened, or at least has withdrawn the
latch bolt and dead bolt locking the doors together.
[0005] However, prior art multi-point locking systems provide
certain disadvantages. For example, prior locking systems often
experience problems with controlling the locking and unlocking of
the passive lock 4 when the active lock 3 is still locking the
active door 14 to the passive door 16. Unlocking and/or opening the
passive door 14 at such a time could cause damage to the active
door 14, the passive door 16, or the locking mechanisms 3,4. The
present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above
and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not
provided by prior locking systems of this type. A full discussion
of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred
to the following detailed description, which proceeds with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a passive lock assembly
suitable for use with a door mounted to a door frame and moveable
between an open position and a closed position. The passive lock
assembly includes a housing, a receiver, a bolt, an actuator, and a
stop member. The housing is mounted on the door, and the receiver
is mounted on the door frame. The bolt extends from the housing and
is moveable between an extended position, where the bolt engages
the receiver to lock the door in the closed position, and a
retracted position, where the bolt retracts from the receiver to
permit the door to move to the open position. The actuator is
supported by the housing and is operably connected to the bolt.
Additionally, the actuator is moveable to move the bolt between the
extended position and the retracted position. The stop member is
pivotably connected to the housing and pivotable between a first
position and a second position. In the first position, the stop
member engages an engagement surface of the actuator to obstruct
movement of the actuator and prevent movement of the bolt to the
retracted position, and in the second position, the stop member
does not obstruct movement of the actuator.
[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the stop member is
elongated along an axis substantially normal to the engagement
surface of the actuator.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop
member has an engagement member extending substantially normal to
the axis of elongation of the stop member, the engagement member
adapted to be engaged by a latch bolt extending into the housing to
move the stop member from the second position to the first
position.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop
member is substantially normal to the engagement surface of the
actuator when in the first position.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop
member has first and second opposed ends and is pivotably connected
to the housing at the first end and engages the actuator at the
second end. The stop member is tapered inward proximate the second
end.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the actuator
is pivotably connected to the housing, and the passive lock
assembly further includes a handle connected to the actuator. The
handle is adapted to be manipulated by a user to pivotably move the
actuator.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop
member is adapted to be engaged by a latch bolt extending into the
housing to move the stop member from the second position to the
first position.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, the passive
lock assembly also includes means for biasing the stop member to
the second position and means for biasing the actuator toward a
central position.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the passive
lock assembly also includes a retraction member supported by the
housing and operably connected to the bolt for moving the bolt
between the extended position and the retracted position. The
actuator engages the retraction member to move the bolt.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the passive
lock assembly also includes a second receiver adapted to be mounted
on the door frame, on a side of the door frame opposite the first
receiver and a second bolt extending from the housing in a
direction opposite the direction of the first bolt. The second bolt
is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.
In the extended position, the second bolt engages the second
receiver to lock the door in the closed position, and in the
retracted position, the second bolt retracts from the second
receiver to permit the door to move to the open position The
actuator is operably connected to the second bolt, and the actuator
is moveable to move the first bolt and the second bolt
simultaneously between the extended positions and the retracted
positions.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the passive
lock assembly also includes a first retraction member and a second
retraction member. The first retraction member is supported by the
housing and operably connected to the first bolt for moving the
first bolt between the extended position and the retracted
position. The second retraction member is supported by the housing
and operably connected to the second bolt for moving the second
bolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The
actuator engages the first retraction member to move the first
bolt, and the first retraction member is operably connected to the
second retraction member to move the second bolt.
[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the actuator
includes a body and an arm extending from the body. The arm has an
offset portion, and the engagement surface is located on the offset
portion of the arm.
[0018] The present invention also provides a door assembly
including a door frame, an active door and a passive door mounted
within the door frame in side-by-side relation, an active lock
assembly mounted within the active door, a receiver mounted in the
door frame, and a passive lock assembly mounted within the passive
door. The active door and the passive door are each moveable
between an open position and a closed position. The active lock
includes a latch bolt moveable between an extended position and a
retracted position, and a handle operably coupled to the latch bolt
to move the latch bolt between the extended position and the
retracted position. The passive lock assembly includes a housing, a
shoot bolt, a retraction member, an actuator, a handle, a stop
member, and two spring members. The housing is mounted within the
passive door and has a face plate having an aperture therein. The
shoot bolt extends from the housing and is moveable between an
extended position and a retracted position. The retraction member
is supported by the housing and is operably connected to the shoot
bolt for moving the shoot bolt between the extended position and
the retracted position. The actuator is supported by the housing
and is operably connected to the retraction member. The actuator is
moveable to move the shoot bolt between the extended position and
the retracted position. The handle is coupled to the actuator and
adapted to be manipulated by a user to move the actuator. One
spring member is coupled to the actuator to bias the actuator to a
central position. The stop member is pivotably connected to the
housing and pivotable between a first position and a second
position. In the first position, the stop member engages an
engagement surface of the actuator to obstruct movement of the
actuator and prevent movement of the shoot bolt to the retracted
position, and in the second position, the stop member does not
obstruct movement of the actuator. The stop member is substantially
normal to the engagement surface when in the first position. The
other spring member is coupled to the stop member to bias the stop
member toward the second position. When the active door and the
passive door are in the closed positions and the latch bolt is in
the extended position, the latch bolt extends into the housing and
engages the stop member to move the stop member from the second
position to the first position.
[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] To understand the present invention, it will now be
described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a prior art
door assembly having a multi-point locking system;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a door assembly showing a
schematic view of a multi-point locking system of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a prior art passive lock
assembly in a locked configuration;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a
passive lock assembly of the present invention in a locked
configuration;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the passive lock assembly of FIG.
4;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the passive lock
assembly of FIG. 4 in a movable configuration;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the passive lock
assembly of FIG. 4 in an unlocked configuration;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stop member of the passive
lock assembly of FIG. 3;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an actuator of the passive
lock assembly of FIG. 3;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a focused side view of a stop member and actuator
of the passive lock assembly of FIG. 4 in the locked configuration;
and
[0031] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of a
passive lock assembly of the present invention in a movable
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a multi-point door
locking system 10 of the present invention, operatively connected
to a conventional swinging door assembly 12, such as a French door
assembly, as shown in FIG. 1. The door assembly 12 generally
comprises a primary door member 14 or active member, and a passive
door member 16 or passive member, mounted within a master door
frame 18. The active door 14 is generally adapted for reciprocal
sliding and/or swinging movement within the door frame 18, thereby
enabling ingress and egress through the door assembly 12. In this
embodiment, the passive door 16 also a movable member capable of
sliding and/or swinging within the door frame 18. However, the
passive door 16 may alternately be fixed to the door frame 18. The
active door 14 and passive door 16 are preferably mounted in
side-by-side relation to each other, and each door 14,16 has a
confronting face 22,24 confronting the other door 14,16. The door
frame 18 generally includes a top jamb or member 15 and a bottom
jamb or member 17 extending between two side jambs 19.
[0034] As shown, the door frame 18 generally has one or more
openings or receivers 20 formed within the top jamb 15 and the
bottom jamb 17 for enabling locking engagement with the multi-point
locking system 10. As shown, the system 10 is mounted within the
door members 14,16 and the door frame 18. As shown, a first pair of
receivers 20a is formed in the top jamb 15 of the frame 18 for
providing receivable engagement with a first portion of the locking
system 10. Additionally, a second pair of receivers 20b is formed
in a lower portion of the frame 18 for receivable engagement with a
second portion of the locking system 10.
[0035] The multi-point locking system 10 includes an active lock
assembly 30 on the active door 14 and a passive lock assembly 40 on
the passive door 16. The active lock 30 is mounted within the
active door 14, proximate the confronting face 22 of the active
door 14. The active lock 30 includes a latch bolt 32 that is
moveable between an extended position, where the latch bolt 32
projects beyond the confronting face 22 of the door 14 and engages
a structure on the passive door 16, and a retracted position, where
the latch bolt 32 is drawn backward behind the confronting face 22
of the door and does not engage the structure on the passive door
16. Additionally, the active lock 30 includes an handle 34 operably
connected to the latch bolt 32 to move the latch bolt 32 between
the extended and retracted positions, and a biasing means for
biasing the latch bolt 32 to the extended position. The active lock
30 may also include a retractable dead bolt 36 that is moveable
between extended and retracted positions, like the latch bolt 32,
as well as shoot bolts 41 that engage receivers 20a,20b in the door
frame 18, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0036] A preferred embodiment of the passive lock 40 is illustrated
in FIGS. 4-7. The passive lock 40 is mounted within the passive
door 16, proximate the confronting face 24 of the door 16. The
passive lock 40 includes a housing 50, two shoot bolts 42 extending
from the housing 50, two retraction members 60,62 connected to the
shoot bolts 42, an actuator 70 operably connected to one of the
retraction members 60, a handle 78 coupled to the actuator 70, a
first biasing means 44 coupled to the actuator 70, a stop member
80, and a second biasing means 46 coupled to the stop member 80.
The passive lock 40 is generally adjustable between a locked
configuration (FIG. 4), a movable configuration (FIG. 6), and an
unlocked configuration (FIG. 7). The components, assembly, and
operation of the passive lock 40 are described in greater detail
below.
[0037] The housing 50 generally contains and/or supports most other
components of the passive lock 40, and is preferably a rectangular
box made from stainless steel, having several openings therein. The
housing 50 has a face plate 51, two large rectangular side walls
55, a back wall 56, a top end wall 57a, and a bottom end wall 57b.
In a preferred embodiment, the entire housing 50 is one integral
piece, except for one of the side walls 55, which is separate from
the rest of the housing 50 and connected by fasteners to facilitate
assembly of the passive lock 40. The face plate 51 is adapted to be
securely connected to the door 16, such as by insertion of screws
or other fasteners through holes in the face plate 51, or other
known means of connection. The face plate 51 of the housing also
preferably has two apertures 52 therein, as shown in FIG. 5. A
latch bolt aperture 52a is adapted to allow the latch bolt 32 to
extend into the housing 50, locking the active door 14 and the
passive door 16 together. Similarly, a dead bolt aperture 52b is
adapted to allow the dead bolt 36 to extend into the housing 50,
more securely locking the active door 14 and the passive door 16
together. The housing 50 also has shoot bolt apertures 53 on the
top and bottom end walls 57 of the housing 50, which provide access
to the housing 50 for the shoot bolts 42 to connect to the
retraction members 60,62 and/or other operating components of the
passive lock 40 contained within the housing 50. Further, the
housing 50 has several other pins, holes, and other connective
structure for purposes such as mounting the housing 50 within the
door 16 and for connecting other components of the passive lock 40
to the housing 50, some of which are described in greater detail
below.
[0038] Two shoot bolts 42 extend from the top and bottom of the
housing 50, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. The shoot bolts 42 are
preferably elongated stainless steel bolts having a square or
rectangular cross-section, and have a threaded section at one end
for threaded connection to the connectors 66. Each shoot bolt 42 is
moveable between an extended position and a retracted position,
shown in FIG. 2. In the extended position, each shoot bolt 42
engages one of the receivers 20 at either the top or bottom of the
door frame 18 to lock the passive door 16 in the closed position.
In the retracted position, each shoot bolt 42 retracts from the
respective receiver 20 to permit the passive door 16 to move to the
open position. The shoot bolts 42 are moved between the extended
position and the retracted position by movement of the actuator 70
by manipulation of the handle 78, which causes the retraction
members 60,62 to move and retract or extend the shoot bolts 42. The
operation of the shoot bolts 42 is described in greater detail
below.
[0039] The passive lock 40 preferably contains two retraction
members 60,62 contained within the housing 50. In a preferred
embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, the passive lock 40 has a
first, "active" retraction member 60 and a second, "passive"
retraction member 62. The retraction members 60,62 are operably
connected to the actuator 70 and one of the shoot bolts 42, so that
movement of the actuator 70 causes the retraction members 60,62 to
move, extending and retracting the shoot bolts 42. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7, the first retraction member 60 is
larger and is constructed of an elongated zinc-plated cold rolled
steel plate that is cut or machined to include functional features.
The first retraction member 60 preferably has two engagement pins
61 that are alternately engaged by an arm 72 of the actuator 70 to
move the retraction member 60 in retracting and extending
directions, to respectively retract and extend the shoot bolt 42.
The first retraction member 60 also has a guide slot 63a therein,
and a guide pin 63b connected to the housing 50 is received in the
guide slot 63a to guide the first retraction member 60 in linear
movement. The first retraction member 60 preferably slides along a
side wall 55 of the housing 50, and is pinned against the side wall
55 at one end by the arm 72 of the actuator 70 and at the other end
by a retainer 64. Further, the first retraction member 60
preferably has a toothed edge or surface 65 at one end and a
connector 66 at the other end. The connector 66b is adapted for
connection to the shoot bolt 42b, and preferably contains a
threaded cavity for connection with a threaded end of the shoot
bolt 42b. The first retraction member 60 is preferably pivotably
coupled to the connector 66b via a pin connection. In other
embodiments, the first retraction member 60 may have a different
configuration and may be made of another suitable material.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7, the second retraction
member 62 is smaller and constructed of a zinc-plated cold rolled
steel plate that is cut or machined to include functional features.
Like the first retraction member 60, the second retraction member
62 has a guide slot 67a therein, and a guide pin 67b connected to
the housing 50 is received in the guide slot 67a to guide the
second retraction member 62 in linear movement. Also like the first
retraction member 60, the second retraction member 62 preferably
slides along the side wall 55 of the housing 50, and is pinned
against the side wall 55 by the retainer 64. Further, the second
retraction member 62 has a toothed edge or surface 65 at one end
and a connector 66a at the other end for connection to the shoot
bolt 42a. The connector 66a of the second retraction member 62 is
preferably identical in form, connection, and function as the
connector 66b of the first retraction member 60. The second
retraction member 62 also preferably has a bumper 69 on the end for
abutting the dead bolt 36 when the dead bolt 36 is received in the
housing 50, as described below.
[0041] The second retraction member 62 is operably connected to the
first retraction member 60, such that the second retraction member
62 moves in response to the movement of the first retraction member
60 to move the second retraction member 62 in retracting and
extending directions, to respectively retract and extend the shoot
bolt 42. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7, a toothed sprocket
54 is rotatably mounted on to the side wall 55 of the housing and
engages the toothed edges 65 of the retraction members 60,62. The
movement of the first retraction member 60 (in response to movement
of the actuator 70) causes the sprocket 54 to rotate, which in turn
moves the second retraction member 62 in the opposite direction as
the first retraction member 60. Thus, the retraction members 60,62
move simultaneously to retract or extend the shoot bolts 42, but
move in opposing directions.
[0042] A plastic guide 68 is preferably mounted within the housing
50 to guide the movement of the retraction members 60,62. The guide
68 has a guide surface 68a and a first slot 68b for guiding the
movement of the first retraction member 60, wherein a portion of
the first retraction member 60 slides along the guide surface 68a
and is received in the first slot 68b. The guide 68 also has a
second slot 68c for guiding the movement of the second retraction
member 62, wherein a portion of the second retraction member 62 is
received in the second slot 68c.
[0043] A preferred embodiment of the actuator 70 is shown in FIGS.
4-7 and 9-10, and contains a body 71, an arm 72 extending from the
body 71, and a biasing means 44. The actuator 70 is preferably
rotatably supported by the housing 50 and is operably connected to
the first retraction member 60, as described above, to move the
shoot bolts 42 between the extended positions and the retracted
positions. The actuator body 71 preferably is rotatably mounted
within opposing holes in the side walls 55 of the housing 50, and
has a square aperture 74 extending completely through the actuator
70. The aperture 74 is accessible from outside the housing 50, from
either side of the housing 50. The actuator arm 72 preferably has
an engagement surface 75 thereon, for engaging the stop member 80,
as described below. The engagement surface 75 may be located on a
different portion of the actuator 70, depending on the
configuration of the stop member 80. The arm 72 also engages one or
the other of the engagement pins 61 on the first retraction member
60, such that rotation of the actuator 70 causes the first
retraction member 60 to move, as illustrated by the broken lines in
FIGS. 4-5.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the actuator arm 72 has a stepped
or offset portion 79 that is offset from the remainder of the
actuator arm 72. In this embodiment, the engagement surface 75 is
located on the offset portion 79 of the actuator arm 72. The offset
portion 79 ensures that the actuator arm 72 contacts the stop
member 80 about the midpoint of the free end 86 of the stop member
80, as illustrated in FIG. 10, offering more direct and balanced
engagement with the stop member 80. This centered engagement
decreases the likelihood that the actuator arm 72 could work its
way past the stop member 80. The engagement pins of prior lock
assemblies often have a bushing on the top of each pin to engage
and "trap" the actuator arm when the arm contacts the pin. In one
embodiment, the passive lock assembly 40 has taller engagement pins
61 that have no bushings, to cooperate more effectively with the
stepped configuration of the actuator arm 72.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means 44 contains a
spring member 76 wound around the body 71 and a spring-engaging
member 77 extending from the body 71. The spring-engaging member 77
engages the spring 76 to bias the actuator 70 toward a central
position and resists rotation of the actuator 70 in either
direction. The biasing means 44 may have any other suitable
configuration, such as a differently-configured spring or another
type of spring.
[0046] A handle 78 is coupled to the actuator 70 and adapted to be
manipulated by a user to move the actuator 70. Preferably, a
portion of the handle 78 is received in the aperture 74 in the
actuator body 71 and engages the inner surfaces of the aperture 74
to rotate the actuator 70. Additionally, the handle 78 preferably
extends completely through the actuator 70 and the housing 50 and
is accessible to open the door 16 from either side. From the view
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-7, the handle 78 and actuator 70 are rotated
clockwise to move the shoot bolts 42 to the retracted positions and
counterclockwise to move the shoot bolts 42 to the extended
positions.
[0047] A preferred embodiment of the stop member 80 is shown in
FIGS. 8 and 10. Preferably, the stop member 80 is made from 50%
glass-filled nylon for strength and cost efficiency, but the stop
member 80 may be made from other suitable materials, such as metal
or other polymers or composites. The stop member 80 is supported by
the housing 50 and moveable between a first position and a second
position. In the first position, shown in FIG. 4, the stop member
80 engages the engagement surface 75 of the actuator 70 to obstruct
movement of the actuator 70 and prevent movement of the shoot bolts
42 to the retracted positions. Preferably, the stop member 80
engages the engagement surface 75 such that the stop member 80 is
substantially normal (perpendicular) to the engagement surface 75.
Also, in the first position, the stop member 80 may engage the
engagement pin 61a, preventing the stop member 80 from moving too
far in that direction. In the second position, shown in FIGS. 6-7,
the stop member 80 does not obstruct movement of the actuator. As
shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the stop member 80 is elongated along an
axis that is substantially normal to the engagement surface 75 of
the actuator 70 when the stop member 80 engages the actuator 70. In
a preferred embodiment, the stop member 80 is pivotable, and is
pivotably connected to the housing 50 by a pivot pin 81 (FIG. 4) at
a first end, or fixed end 82. A second end, or free end 86 of the
stop member 80 engages the actuator 70.
[0048] Additionally, when the latch bolt 32 associated with the
active door 14 is received in the housing 50, the latch bolt 32
engages the stop member 80 to move the stop member 80 from the
second position to the first position. In a preferred embodiment,
the stop member 80 has an engagement member 83 extending
substantially normal to the axis of elongation of the stop member
80. The engagement member 83 is adapted to be engaged by the latch
bolt 32 to move the stop member from the second position to the
first position, as illustrated in FIG. 4. When the stop member 80
is in the first position, the engagement member 83 extends to the
edge of the housing 50 at the latch bolt aperture 52a (FIG. 6), so
that any small intrusion of the latch bolt 32 into the housing 50
will abut the engagement member 83 and actuate the stop member 80.
Further, the stop member 80 includes a strengthening rib 84 to add
strength and rigidity to the free end 86 of the stop member 80 and
a rest portion 87 for abutting the inner surface of the housing
face plate 51 when the stop member 80 is in the second position, as
shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 10.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 10, the stop member 80 is preferably
tapered proximate the free end 86, and thus contains a tapered
portion 88. In prior lock assemblies, such as the lock assembly 140
in FIG. 3, the actuator arm 172 is flat and holds the retraction
member 160 in place against the wall of the housing 150. However,
due to the stepped configuration of the actuator arm 72 of the
passive lock assembly 40, the actuator arm 72 allows some shifting
of the retraction member 60. The tapered design of the free end 86
prevents the retraction member 60 from contacting the stop member
80 and blocking movement of the stop member 80 if such shifting
occurs. Preferably, the degree of taper of the stop member 80 is
sufficient to prevent undesirable contact with the retraction
member 60, but gradual enough that the actuator arm 72 still
contacts the stop member proximate the midpoint of the free end
86.
[0050] The stop member 80 also includes a second biasing means 46
coupled to the stop 80 member to bias the stop member 80 toward the
second position (FIG. 6). The biasing means 46 includes a spring
member 85 wrapped around the pivoting pin at the fixed end 82 of
the stop member 80 and is connected to the stop member 80 to bias
the stop member 80. The second biasing means 46 may have any other
suitable configuration, such as a differently-configured spring or
another type of spring.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the housing 50 forms the base for the
assembled passive lock 40. The retraction members 60,62 are
slidably mounted within the housing 50, as described above, so that
the connectors 66 can extend out of the shoot bolt apertures 53.
The sprocket 54 is rotatably mounted within the housing 50, in
engagement with the toothed portions 65 of the retraction members
60,62, and the retainer 64 is mounted to hold the sprocket 54 and
the retraction members 60,62 in place. The actuator 70 is pivotably
mounted within the housing 50 as described above, holding the first
retraction member 60 in place. The stop member 80 is also pivotably
mounted within the housing 50 as described above. The biasing means
44,46 are connected to the actuator 70 and the stop member 80
respectively. Once all the internal components of the passive lock
40 are mounted within the housing 50, the removable side wall 55
(shown on the housing 50 in FIGS. 2 and 5) is fastened to the
housing 50, preferably by nut and bolt connections, sealing the
housing 50. The housing 50 is then mounted within a cavity in the
passive door 16 via the fastener holes in the face plate 51. The
threaded shoot bolts 42 are connected to the connectors 66 and also
mounted within the passive door 16. The handle 78 is then inserted
through the aperture 74 in the actuator 70. The active lock 30 is
mounted within a cavity in the active door 14, such that the latch
bolt 32 and the dead bolt 36 are on a face of the active door 14
opposing the face plate 51 of the passive lock 40 when the doors
14,16 are closed.
[0052] In operation, when the passive door 16 is in the closed
position, the passive lock has three general configurations: a
locked configuration, a movable configuration, and an unlocked
configuration. In the locked configuration, the shoot bolts 42 are
in the extended positions, wherein the ends of the shoot bolts 42
engage the receivers 20 and are received within the receivers 20,
locking the passive door 16 in the closed position, as shown in
FIG. 2. The retraction members 60,62 are also positioned
accordingly to extend the shoot bolts 42, as shown in FIG. 4. The
actuator 70 is generally in the central position, due to the force
of the first biasing means 44. The latch bolt 32 is received in the
latch bolt aperture 52a, locking the active door 14 to the passive
door 16 and engaging the engagement member 83 of the stop member
80, moving the stop member 80 to the first position. In the first
position, the stop member 80 engages the engagement surface 75 of
the actuator arm 72, obstructing movement of the actuator 70 and
preventing movement of the shoot bolts 42 to the retracted
positions. In the engagement between the stop member 80 and the
engagement surface 75, the stop member 80 is substantially normal
to the engagement surface 75. Optionally, the dead bolt 36 may also
be received in the dead bolt aperture 52b, more securely locking
the active door 14 to the passive door 16 and engaging the bumper
69 of the second retraction member 62, obstructing movement of the
second retraction member 62 and preventing movement of the shoot
bolts 42 to the retracted positions. Thus, the passive door 16 is
locked in place within the door frame 18, the active door 14 is
locked to the passive door 16, and the handle 78 cannot be moved to
unlock the passive lock 40.
[0053] In the movable configuration, shown in FIG. 6, the latch
bolt 32 has been withdrawn from the latch bolt aperture 52a (such
as by unlocking and opening the active door 14), allowing the force
of the second biasing means 46 to move the stop member 80 to the
second position, where the stop member 80 does not obstruct
movement of the actuator 70. It is understood that the dead bolt 36
is also withdrawn. Thus, in the movable configuration, the actuator
70 can be rotated or pivoted by operation of the handle 78 by a
user. The unlocked configuration of the passive lock assembly 40 is
shown in FIG. 7 and with reference to FIG. 2. Operation of the
handle 78 and pivoting of the actuator 70 causes the actuator arm
72 to engage one of the engagement pins 61 a of the first
retraction member 60, moving the first retraction member 60 in the
retracting direction and retracting the shoot bolt 42b. In the view
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6-7, the handle 78 and actuator 70 are rotated
clockwise to retract the shoot bolts 42. Simultaneously, the
toothed portion 65 of the first retraction member 60 engages the
sprocket 54, rotating the sprocket 54. The sprocket 54 engages the
toothed portion 65 of the second retraction member 62, moving the
second retraction member 52 in the retracting direction and
retracting the shoot bolt 42a. Once the shoot bolts 42 have been
retracted from the receivers 20 in the door frame 18, the passive
lock 40 is in the unlocked configuration, and the passive door 16
can swing freely within the door frame 18 between the open and
closed positions. Thus, the passive door 16 cannot be opened until
either the latch bolt 32 of the active door 14 is retracted or the
active door 14 is open, so that the latch bolt 32 is not received
in the housing 50. In one preferred embodiment, the latch bolt 32
is automatically disengaged from the stop member 80 when the active
door 14 is opened. It is understood that the latch bolt 32 could be
designed having a mechanism for positive disengagement from the
stop member 80 even when the active door 14 is in the closed
position. After movement to the unlocked configuration, the user
can release the handle 78, and the first biasing means 44 moves the
actuator 70 back to the central position.
[0054] When the user desires to lock the doors 14,16 again, the
passive door 16 is first moved to the closed position. The handle
78 is then rotated in the opposite direction as described above
(counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 6), causing the actuator arm 72
to engage the other of the engagement pins 61b, moving the first
retraction member 60 in the extending direction and extending the
shoot bolt 42b. Simultaneously, the toothed portion 65 of the first
retraction member 60 engages the sprocket 54, rotating the sprocket
54. The sprocket 54 engages the toothed surface 65 of the second
retraction member 62, moving the second retraction member 62 in the
extending direction and extending the shoot bolt 42a. Once the
shoot bolts 42 are received in the receivers 20, the passive door
16 is locked in the closed position. At this point, the stop member
80 is still in the second position, and the passive lock 40 is
still in the movable configuration. When the active door 14 is
closed and the latch bolt 32 is received in the latch bolt aperture
52a, the latch bolt 32 engages the stop member 80, moving the stop
member 80 to the first position. The stop member 80 obstructs
movement of the actuator 70 to retract the shoot bolts 42, and
thus, the passive lock 40 is returned to the locked configuration.
Accordingly, the latch bolt 32 must be disengaged from the stop
member 80 before the shoot bolts 42 can be retracted. Thus, a user
cannot unlock the passive door 16 until the active door 14 is
opened.
[0055] It is understood that the features of the passive lock 40
could be incorporated into an active lock assembly as well.
Additionally, the passive lock 40 and active lock 30 described
above can be used with a sliding door assembly or other type of
door assembly, and is not limited for use with swinging door
assemblies. The features of the passive lock 40 of the present
invention may be adapted to fit a passive lock assembly having
face-mounted shoot bolts, such as that shown in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2005/0166647, which is incorporated
herein by reference, and the embodiment 240 shown in FIG. 11.
[0056] Most features of the passive lock 240 shown in FIG. 11 are
the same as those of the passive lock 40 described above, and are
indicated using the "200" series of reference numerals. However,
the passive lock 240 shown in FIG. 11 has some differences from the
passive lock 40 described above. One such difference is that the
shoot bolts 242 are mounted on arms 292 extending from the housing
250 proximate the face plate 251 and the face 24 of the passive
door 16. The retraction members 260,262 are connected to the arms
292, which are connected to adapters 294, and the adapters 294 are
connected to the shoot bolts 242 via threaded connections. The
shoot bolts 242 are extended and retracted by the retraction
members 260,262 moving to extend or retract the arms 292, which
move the shoot bolts 242. Thus, the shoot bolts 242 are operably
connected to the retraction members 260,262. The adapters 294
offset the shoot bolts 242 slightly away from the face plate 251.
Operation of the actuator 270, the stop member 280, and the
retraction members 260,262 are similar to the same components
described above.
[0057] A prior art passive lock 140 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Many
of the general features of the prior passive lock 140 are similar
to those of the passive lock 40 of the present invention.
Generally, the prior passive lock 140 includes a housing 150
mounted in a door 16 that contains several components. The housing
150 contains two retraction members 160,162 coupled to shoot bolts
142 for locking the door 16 to a door frame 18. The actuator 170 of
the prior passive lock 140 has an arm 172 that engages one of the
retraction members 160 to extend and retract the shoot bolts 142.
However, the prior actuator arm 172 does not have an offset
portion, and is substantially thinner than the arm 72 of the
passive lock 40 of the present invention. The prior passive lock
140 has a blocker or blocking member 190 in place of a stop member
as described above. The blocker 190 is affixed to the moveable
retraction member 160 and abuts the latch bolt 132 to prevent the
retraction member 160 from moving to retract the shoot bolts 142.
Thus, when the actuator 170 is acted upon with a force to retract
the shoot bolts 142, the blocker 190 exerts direct force on the
latch bolt 132 in planar-to-planar contact. Because of this
planar-to-planar contact, if the user wiggles the handle,
frictional forces may eventually push the latch bolt 132 out of the
housing 150 and allow the mechanism to slip, retracting the shoot
bolts 142 and making a loud noise. This is particularly problematic
when the doors 14,16 are installed with too large a gap between
them, and the latch bolt 132 extends only a small distance into the
housing 150. In this arrangement, the block 190 can easily work its
way around the latch bolt 132, due in part to the rounded corners
of the block 190. Thus, users unfamiliar with the functionality of
the passive door 16 are able to disengage and open the passive door
16 before the active door. Additionally, when the retraction member
160 moves to retract the shoot bolts 142, the blocker 190 moves in
front of the latch bolt aperture 152 in the housing 150, blocking
the aperture 152. This is undesirable as other components of the
active door 14 may still be engaged with the passive door 16,
causing damage to the doors 14,16.
[0058] The passive lock 40 provides many advantages over prior lock
assemblies, including the passive lock 140 illustrated in FIG. 3.
The substantially normal engagement between the stop member 80 in
the first position and the engagement surface 75 of the actuator 70
does much to prevent accidental slippage of the mechanism and
retraction of the shoot bolts 42. Due to the substantially normal
engagement, the force exerted by the actuator 70 on the stop member
80 extends down the length of the stop member 80 and does not
transfer to the latch bolt 32. In fact, in the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4 and 6-7, the actuator arm 72 is moving slightly to the
right during clockwise rotation, and thus exerts a slight rightward
force on the stop member 80, tending to lock the stop member 80 in
the first position rather than forcing the stop member 80 to the
second position. The passive lock 40 of the present invention can
withstand upwards of 500 in.lbs. of torque. In contrast, in the
passive lock 140 of FIG. 3, the blocking member 190 exerts force
directly on the latch bolt 132, which may force the latch bolt 132
out of the housing 150 and allow accidental slippage of the passive
lock 140 and retraction of the shoot bolts 142.
[0059] Additionally, the stop member 80 can move to securely
obstruct the actuator arm 72 with only a small amount of movement
of the engagement member 83, because the lever action of the stop
member 80 allows a small movement of the engagement member 83 to
move the free end of the stop member 80 a greater distance. Also,
because the engagement member 83 extends away from the body of the
stop member 80 toward the edge of the housing 50 at the latch bolt
aperture 52a, any intrusion of the latch bolt 32 into the housing
50 will engage the engagement member and cause movement of the stop
member 80. Thus, the passive lock 40 guards against gap variances
between the doors 14,16, and will prevent retraction of the shoot
bolts 42 even when the doors 14,16 are mounted with too large a gap
between them.
[0060] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the first position,
the stop member 80 only obstructs movement of the actuator 70, and
does not obstruct independent movement of the first retraction
member 60. Thus, the latch bolt 32 can be received in the housing
50, locking the doors 14,16 together when the shoot bolts 42 are in
the retracted positions. Further, the actuator 70 can be moved to
extend the shoot bolts 42, as the stop member 80 preferably only
obstructs movement of the actuator 70 to retract the shoot bolts
42. This is not possible in the passive lock 140 of FIG. 3, because
the blocking member 190 moves with the first retraction member 160
and obstructs the latch bolt aperture 152a when the shoot bolts 142
are retracted. The passive lock 40 provides additional advantages
over prior art lock assemblies, including the passive lock 140
shown in FIG. 3, which are apparent to those skilled in the
art.
[0061] Several alternative embodiments and examples have been
described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the
art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments,
and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A
person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that
any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with
the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the
invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing
from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present
examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is
not to be limited to the details given herein. The terms "first,"
"second," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "left," "right,"
"clockwise," "counterclockwise," etc., as used herein, are intended
for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in
any way. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been
illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind
without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention
and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *